Wicking pad for refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A water-removing system for a refrigerator comprises a water reservoir pan, a first line of wicking pad array, and a second line of wicking pad array. The water reservoir pan is for collecting water from compressor. The first line of wicking pad array comprises wavy wicking pads, and each of the wavy wicking pads has a horizontal cross-sectional shape of an extended “S” and is disposed in a direction of air flow from the fan motor to the wavy wicking pads, so that a length of the wavy wicking pad for the air flow is increased rather than a straight cross-sectional shape, and lower portions of the wavy wicking pads are immersed in the water reservoir pan. The second line is disposed behind of the first line so that each of the wavy wicking pads of the second line is disposed between two wavy wicking pads of the first line.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wicking pad for refrigerator.

Frost from an evaporator of the refrigerator is melted to water, and the water needs to be removed.

In prior arts, such water was collected in a pan and the user of the refrigerator emptied the pan regularly.

In a more advanced refrigerator, the water was evaporated with heat provided for the purpose.

However, solutions provided by the prior arts were not enough to satisfy the users in efficiency or convenience of the water-removing system.

Also, it is preferable to solve the problems of the prior arts with relatively simpler structures and methods, so that it can be applied easily and conveniently.

Accordingly, a need for a wicking pad for refrigerator has been present for a long time considering the expansive demands in the everyday life. This invention is directed to solve these problems and satisfy the long-felt need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contrives to solve the disadvantages of the prior art.

An object of the invention is to provide a water-removing system for a refrigerator.

A water-removing system for a refrigerator having an compressor and fan motor comprises a water reservoir pan, a first line of wicking pad array, and a second line of wicking pad array.

The water reservoir pan is configured for collecting water from an evaporator.

The first line of wicking pad array comprises a plurality of wavy wicking pads, and each of the plurality of wavy wicking pads has a horizontal cross-sectional shape of an extended “S” and is disposed in a direction of air flow from the fan motor to the plurality of wavy wicking pads, so that a length of the wavy wicking pad for the air flow is increased rather than a straight cross-sectional shape, and lower portions of the wavy wicking pads are immersed in the water reservoir pan.

The second line of wicking pad array comprises a plurality of wavy wicking pads, and each of the plurality of wavy wicking pads has a horizontal cross-sectional shape of an extended “S” and being disposed in the direction of air flow from the fan motor so that a length of the wavy wicking pad for the air flow is increased rather than a straight cross-sectional shape, and the second line of wicking pad array being disposed behind of the first line of wicking pad array so that each of the wavy wicking pads of the second line of wicking pad array is disposed between two wavy wicking pads of the first line of wicking pad array, and lower portions of the wavy wicking pads are immersed in the water reservoir pan.

The air flow from the fan motor reaches each of the wavy wicking pads of the first and second line of wicking pad arrays directly.

Each of the wavy wicking pads may comprise a pair of straight linear portions provided on both end portions of the extended “S” portion and aligned in the direction of air flow.

Each of the pair of straight linear portions may have a length shorter that a length of the extended “S” portion.

The first line of wicking pad array may comprise one or more holders, each of which being configured for holding the wavy wicking pads. The second line of wicking pad array may comprise one or more holders, each of which being configured for holding the wavy wicking pads.

The water-removing system may further comprise a right air guide, a left air guide, and a top air guide.

The right air guide is disposed on and covers a right side of the first and second wicking pad arrays so as to prevent the air flow from deviating from the first and second wicking pad arrays and to guide the air flow through between the wavy wicking pads.

The left air guide is disposed on and covers a left side of the first and second wicking pad arrays so as to prevent the air flow from deviating from the first and second wicking pad arrays and to guide the air flow through between the wavy wicking pads.

The top air guide is disposed on and covers a top side of the first and second wicking pad arrays so as to prevent the air flow from deviating from the first and second wicking pad arrays and to guide the air flow through between the wavy wicking pads.

The right, left, and top air guides are configured to minimize a loss of pressure of the air flow and increase an efficiency of the water-removing system.

A front portion of the first wicking pad array may open toward the fan motor. Each of the right, left, and top air guides may comprise an air-guiding portion tilted outwards. The air-guiding portions of the right, left, and top air guides enclose the fan.

The water-removing system may further comprise a third line of wicking pad array comprising a plurality of wavy wicking pads, each of which having a horizontal cross-sectional shape of an extended “S” and being disposed in the direction of air flow from the fan motor so that a length of the wavy wicking pad for the air flow is increased rather than a straight cross-sectional shape, and the third line of wicking pad array being disposed behind of the second line of wicking pad array so that each of the wavy wicking pads of the third line of wicking pad array is disposed between two wavy wicking pads of the second line of wicking pad array, wherein lower portions of the wavy wicking pads are immersed in the water reservoir pan.

Each of the wavy wicking pads may have a general shape of rectangle. Each of the wavy wicking pads may have a wavy structure in the horizontal direction of the air flow. Each of the wavy wicking pads may have a straight linear structure in a vertical direction.

The advantages of the present invention are: (1) the water-removing system according to the invention is easy to realize; and (2) the water-removing system is very efficient compared to the prior arts.

Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a water-removing system according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a wicking pad array according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a wicking pad array according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a wicking pad array according to still another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view showing air guides installed around a wicking pad array according to still another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a water-removing system with a wicking pad according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, the embodiments of the invention are described in detail.

An object of the invention is to provide a water-removing system for a refrigerator, in which water can be evaporated effectively.

Another object of the invention is to provide a water-removing system for a refrigerator, in which water can be absorbed much more and evaporated evenly across the wicking pad.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a water-removing system for a refrigerator, in which the amount of heat exchange is increased by changing the air flow from a layered flow to a turbulent flow.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a water-removing system for a refrigerator, in which the efficiency is increased by minimizing the pressure loss by introducing air guides.

An aspect of the invention provides a water-removing system 100 for a refrigerator having an compressor 910 and fan motor 920 as shown in FIGS. 1 through 6.

The water-removing system 100 comprises a water reservoir pan 10, a first line of wicking pad array 20, and a second line of wicking pad array 30.

The water reservoir pan 10 is configured for collecting water from a evaporator as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6.

The first line of wicking pad array 20 comprises a plurality of wavy wicking pads 22, and each of the plurality of wavy wicking pads 22 has a horizontal cross-sectional shape of an extended “S” and is disposed in a direction of air flow (AF) from the fan motor 920 to the plurality of wavy wicking pads 22, so that a length of the wavy wicking pad 22 for the air flow is increased rather than a straight cross-sectional shape, as shown in FIG. 3. The lower portions of the wavy wicking pads 22 are immersed in the water reservoir pan 10 as shown in FIG. 1.

The second line of wicking pad array 30 comprises a plurality of wavy wicking pads 32, and each of the plurality of wavy wicking pads 32 has a horizontal cross-sectional shape of an extended “S” and being disposed in the direction of air flow from the fan motor 920 so that a length of the wavy wicking pad 32 for the air flow is increased rather than a straight cross-sectional shape, and the second line of wicking pad array 30 being disposed behind of the first line of wicking pad array 20 so that each of the wavy wicking pads 22 of the second line of wicking pad array 20 is disposed between two wavy wicking pads 32 of the first line of wicking pad array 30, and lower portions of the wavy wicking pads 32 are immersed in the water reservoir pan 10.

The air flow from the fan motor 920 reaches each of the wavy wicking pads 22, 32 of the first and second line of wicking pad arrays 20, 30 directly as can be seen in FIG. 2.

Each of the wavy wicking pads 22, 32 may comprise a pair of straight linear portions 44 provided on both end portions of the extended “S” portion 24, 34 and aligned in the direction of air flow as shown in FIG. 3.

Each of the pair of straight linear portions 44 may have a length shorter that a length of the extended “S” portion 24, 34 as shown in FIG. 3.

The first line of wicking pad array 20 may comprise one or more holders 26, each of which being configured for holding the wavy wicking pads 22 as shown in FIG. 1. Likewise, the second line of wicking pad array 30 may comprise one or more holders 36, each of which being configured for holding the wavy wicking pads 32 as shown in FIG. 1.

The water-removing system 100 may further comprise a right air guide 50, a left air guide 60, and a top air guide 70 as shown in FIG. 5. The top air guide 70 is shown in a clear fashion, but it can be imagined to look like the right or left air guide in a side view.

The right air guide 50 is disposed on and covers a right side of the first and second wicking pad arrays 20, 30 so as to prevent the air flow from deviating from the first and second wicking pad arrays 22, 32 and to guide the air flow through between the wavy wicking pads 22, 32 as shown in FIG. 5.

Likewise, the left air guide 60 is disposed on and covers a left side of the first and second wicking pad arrays 20, 30 so as to prevent the air flow from deviating from the first and second wicking pad arrays 20, 30 and to guide the air flow through between the wavy wicking pads 22, 32 as shown in FIG. 5.

The top air guide is disposed on and covers a top side of the first and second wicking pad arrays so as to prevent the air flow from deviating from the first and second wicking pad arrays and to guide the air flow through between the wavy wicking pads.

The right, left, and top air guides 50, 60, 70 are configured to minimize a loss of pressure of the air flow and increase an efficiency of the water-removing system 100.

A front portion of the first wicking pad array 20 may open toward the fan motor 920 as shown in FIG. 5. Each of the right, left, and top air guides 50, 60, 70 may comprise an air-guiding portion 52, 62, 72 tilted outwards or inwards as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. The air-guiding portions 52, 62, 72 of the right, left, and top air guides 50, 60, 70 enclose the fan motor 920.

The water-removing system 100 may further comprise a third line of wicking pad array (not shown) comprising a plurality of wavy wicking pads. Actually, any number of additional wicking pad array may be added according to the situation. As the other arrays, each of wavy wicking pads has a horizontal cross-sectional shape of an extended “S” and being disposed in the direction of air flow from the fan motor so that a length of the wavy wicking pad for the air flow is increased rather than a straight cross-sectional shape, and the third line of wicking pad array being disposed behind of the second line of wicking pad array so that each of the wavy wicking pads of the third line of wicking pad array is disposed between two wavy wicking pads of the second line of wicking pad array, wherein lower portions of the wavy wicking pads are immersed in the water reservoir pan.

Each of the wavy wicking pads 22, 32 may have a general shape of rectangle as shown in FIG. 1. Each of the wavy wicking pads 22, 32 may have a wavy structure in the horizontal direction of the air flow. Each of the wavy wicking pads 22, 32 may have a straight linear structure in a vertical direction. Also, the shape of the extended “S” portion may be varied according to the situation, as long as they generate turbulence in the air flow therebetween and can be disposed alternatingly sideways as shown in FIG. 4.

Even though FIGS. 1 and 2 show only one of the wicking pad arrays, but they can be considered to omit one of those just for explanation.

The material of the wavy wicking pads 22, 32 may be any kind of absorbent material as long as they absorb the water and carry it to the highest portion thereof.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a water-removing system 100 with the wicking pad as related to the other components of the refrigerator.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A water-removing system for a refrigerator having an compressor and fan motor, the water-removing device comprising: a water reservoir pan configured for collecting water from an evaporator; a first line of wicking pad array comprising a plurality of wavy wicking pads, each of which having a horizontal cross-sectional shape of an extended “S” and being disposed in a direction of air flow from the fan motor to the plurality of wavy wicking pads, so that a length of the wavy wicking pad for the air flow is increased rather than a straight cross-sectional shape, wherein lower portions of the wavy wicking pads are immersed in the water reservoir pan; and a second line of wicking pad array comprising a plurality of wavy wicking pads, each of which having a horizontal cross-sectional shape of an extended “S” and being disposed in the direction of air flow from the fan motor so that a length of the wavy wicking pad for the air flow is increased rather than a straight cross-sectional shape, and the second line of wicking pad array being disposed behind of the first line of wicking pad array so that each of the wavy wicking pads of the second line of wicking pad array is disposed between two wavy wicking pads of the first line of wicking pad array, wherein lower portions of the wavy wicking pads are immersed in the water reservoir pan, wherein the air flow from the fan motor reaches each of the wavy wicking pads of the first and second line of wicking pad arrays directly.
 2. The water-removing system of claim 1, wherein each of the wavy wicking pads comprises a pair of straight linear portions provided on both end portions of the extended “S” portion and aligned in the direction of air flow.
 3. The water-removing system of claim 2, wherein each of the pair of straight linear portions has a length shorter that a length of the extended “S” portion.
 4. The water-removing system of claim 1, wherein the first line of wicking pad array comprises one or more holders, each of which being configured for holding the wavy wicking pads.
 5. The water-removing system of claim 4, wherein the second line of wicking pad array comprises one or more holders, each of which being configured for holding the wavy wicking pads.
 6. The water-removing system of claim 1, further comprising: a right air guide disposed on and covering a right side of the first and second wicking pad arrays so as to prevent the air flow from deviating from the first and second wicking pad arrays and to guide the air flow through between the wavy wicking pads; a left air guide disposed on and covering a left side of the first and second wicking pad arrays so as to prevent the air flow from deviating from the first and second wicking pad arrays and to guide the air flow through between the wavy wicking pads; and a top air guide disposed on and covering a top side of the first and second wicking pad arrays so as to prevent the air flow from deviating from the first and second wicking pad arrays and to guide the air flow through between the wavy wicking pads, wherein the right, left, and top air guides are configured to minimize a loss of pressure of the air flow and increase an efficiency of the water-removing system.
 7. The water-removing system of claim 6, wherein a front portion of the first wicking pad array opens toward the fan motor.
 8. The water-removing system of claim 7, wherein each of the right, left, and top air guides comprises an air-guiding portion tilted outwards or inwards.
 9. The water-removing system of claim 8, wherein the air-guiding portions of the right, left, and top air guides enclose the fan motor.
 10. The water-removing system of claim 1, further comprising a third line of wicking pad array comprising a plurality of wavy wicking pads, each of which having a horizontal cross-sectional shape of an extended “S” and being disposed in the direction of air flow from the fan motor so that a length of the wavy wicking pad for the air flow is increased rather than a straight cross-sectional shape, and the third line of wicking pad array being disposed behind of the second line of wicking pad array so that each of the wavy wicking pads of the third line of wicking pad array is disposed between two wavy wicking pads of the second line of wicking pad array, wherein lower portions of the wavy wicking pads are immersed in the water reservoir pan.
 11. The water-removing system of claim 1, wherein each of the wavy wicking pads has a general shape of rectangle.
 12. The water-removing system of claim 11, wherein each of the wavy wicking pads has a wavy structure in the horizontal direction of the air flow.
 13. The water-removing system of claim 12, wherein each of the wavy wicking pads has a straight linear structure in a vertical direction. 